Location: 32-36 Kings Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 3AA

Telephone number: 0118 950 4039

Website: http://www.laparada.co.uk/

Date of visit: 11 November 2009

Approximate cost per head: Less than £20

Comments on wine list/beer: Several larger on tap (incl San Miguel), Wine from £15 a bottle

Summary:
It was a sort of  reunion. We (6) had all worked together for the same company a year ago. We chose La Parada because, its good place to share food and the bill.

Tapas start at £2.50 and goes up to £6.95. The portions are good sized. We all ordered a tapa each, the vegetarian paella for 2 and two lots of potatoes bravas. Including 2 bottles of wine and a round of drinks before the meal the total bill including service came to £110.

Re the tapas, we had sardine, gambas ajillo, tortilla, sardines, whitebait and chorizo.

I particularly like the chorizo which was crispy. The vegetarian paella was also very tasty – peppers and asparagus – and there were enough to go round all six of us. Everything was fine except the whitebait which was a bit dry.

On the night we went, it was a bit quiet so we were able to have the big round table in the corner. The place will easily accommodate over 100 people and they have “live” Latino music on a Friday and a Saturday night.

During weekday lunches, its buy one gets one free.

Great value.